Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

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Any time an offense successfully executes a big gain on the ground, it’s the product of any combination of three things:

1. Great blocking by the offense

2. The defense out of position

3. Great individual effort.

Midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s game, Ryan Torain was brought in the game as the Redskins third option at running back. His first play of the season was a rush through the line for seven yards. His second run was a 20 yard scamper to paydirt (pictured above). Let’s break down what happened on the play.

The play kicks off with great blocking at the line of scrimmage. The line shifts to the left on the handoff, while quarterback Rex Grossman rolls back to the right. Running back Ryan Torain runs to the numbers and looks for his cutback lane.

He finds a huge hole between left guard Kory Lichtensteiger and Trent Williams/Chris Cooley, who have sealed off the edge. To be fair, Lichtensteiger vs. Ben Leber (LB) and Williams vs. Quintin Mikell (S) is no one’s idea of a fair fight, but these are the opportunities to take advantage of on offense.

Torain is able to cut into the open field, which is when he becomes most dangerous. Kudos to the blocking scheme and execution on the line for clearing the way to the next level.

Now, to be fair, I’m no expert on defense and I wasn’t on the Rams sideline, so I can’t say too much about the defense being in or out of position. It looks like they may have anticipated a play-action call after the initial 7-yard run, but they didn’t seem to be keying on Torain.

The continued blocking on defensive tackle Gary Gibson and linebacker James Laurinaitis on the line allows Torain to get up to speed going down the sidelines.

This is where the great individual effort comes into play. Torain has a lot of experience in this blocking scheme, and his eyes lit up when he saw his running lane. With Rams cornerback Justin King’s back to the play, focused on Santana Moss in the endzone, Torain sprinted right towards him.

As Torain reached the 5-yard line, King recognizes the run and is breaking off of coverage to make a play. Torain is attempting to shoot the gap between King and oncoming safety Darian Stewart.

The second example of tremendous blocking on this play comes from Redskins receiver Santana Moss, who blocks King enough to redirect him away from the play, and allow Torain to dive into the endzone.

Expert play call, combined with team blocking and great individual effort allowed this play to run for 20 yards and a touchdown.

3 Responses
to “Team + Torain Taking It To The House”

I am a BIG FAN of the REDSKINS but I hate comments CHRIS COOLEY made about the COWBOYS,COOLEY just lower himself from being BEAT by the COWBOYS, don’t you know that makes you look like a H8TR pretty stupid DUDE some you’ll win and some you lose, YOU GAVE the REDSKIN bad KARMAl, for being a HATER!!! Suck it UP. From now on you will LOSE, Loser!!!